YPL Summer Trip : Announcement

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you, all the students who attended the meeting on Saturday. I hope you all enjoyed the knarl (as mentioned, they do not live solely in Cornwall, but they have a vibrant population there)! I also appreciate your attention and questions. As promised, here are the important notes to help ensure all of you are prepared for our trip.

Travel plans:
The Ministry is graciously arranging for portkeys from central locations and will assist in providing supervision to and at the transfer points. Parents and guardians will be contacted with the location within the week, to allow plenty of time to resolve any concerns. Students will arrive at our first campsite in staggered groupings on Monday, August 3rd, and will return to the same locations on Monday, August 10th.

Where will we be?
We will be at two sites within Cornwall. We will set up camp on the 4th toward the southwest of Bodmin Moor, and spend 3 days there, before moving to a site on the northern coast near Tintagel. My thanks to the Ministry, who have arranged to move the packed equipment during our outing that day.

As all first years have now passed their flying tests, we will be travelling between the two sites by broom, pausing regularly for natural history and folklore conversations. We do have the generous loan of two flying carpets that will seat multiple riders for those who prefer not to fly a broom. The sites are approximately 40 miles apart, and we will be providing close supervision: students who go off unescorted will face immediate and serious penalties.

Housing
Students will be housed in wizarding tents - these all include facilities, simple cooking resources, and sleeping space for five or six students. Each tent will include an older student of the same gender.

Students may indicate their preferences for who will share their sleeping tent (and should tell me this immediately if they have not already done so.) However, we want to use the minimal number of tents possible, so you may end up sharing with students you know less well in some circumstances.

Food
We will be cooking our own food - with help and supplies brought along. Campfire cooking is always great fun, and we'll be learning a number of cooking and cleaning charms that can be used for other purposes, or that build skills with charms that will stand you in good stead next year.

What to bring
Please bring six changes of clothing that will hold up to a range of different weather conditions, temperatures, and that will stand up to climbing, flying, and exploring. Ladies, this is not the trip for delicate sandals or short skirts on your robes! Your clothing and other supplies should fit within a small trunk or large traveling bag you can load and unload yourself from the Ministry's carts.

Sensible shoes, at least one layer of wool robes, and plenty of clean socks are all essential. Please also bring whatever toiletries and minor personal items you require. (Please note: if it is forbidden at Hogwarts, it is also forbidden here.) Remember that Cornwall can get quite chilly, even in August.

Pets
As mentioned, if you are able to be responsible for your own pet's food, water, waste, and well-being, you may bring it. However, be aware that there will be no house-elves or mudbloods on this trip, so you must attend to all tasks yourself.

Activities
We are planning a series of lectures, hikes, and events that will teach you about Cornwall's folklore, magical creatures, mythology and stories. We'll also be looking at the stars (of course!), telling stories, and singing a few songs. My thanks in advance to several distinguished witches and wizards who have offered to help with these events - they'll be coming for the day, and apparating home at the end in almost every case.

Students will be divided into pre-determined groups for different activities. However, you will have plenty of time to spend with your friends during breakfast, and after we return to our campsite in the late afternoon.

Behaviour
All students are expected to stay within sight of the older student or adult responsible for them at all times, or request specific permission each time they are out of sight (such as climbing on a hike.) No space in any wild place is entirely safe. Students will also have charms provided that will allow us to quickly track and locate anyone who does not obey this requirement.

You are expected to behave as well or better as you would at Hogwarts. The prefects coming with us have all been given permission to use a stunning charm or, if necessary, Crucio, if they feel a student's behaviour may lead to imminent harm .

The older students attending will include:
Lana Sandoval (Ravenclaw prefect : rising 7th)
Olive Coote (Hufflepuff prefect : rising 7th year)
Percy Weasley (Gryffindor prefect: rising 6th year))
Moebius Ollivander (Slytherin prefect: rising 6th year)
Penelope Clearwater (rising 5th year, Ravenclaw)
and Julius Avery (Slytherin, rising 5th year)

As mentioned, these older students should arrive a day early in order to prepare for the trip. Details are in the letters being sent home by Owl this week.

Questions?
I am available by Owl throughout the summer, either at Hogwarts or visiting family. I expect to be able to address any questions quickly.

Again, thank you for your enthusiasm and attention - I am looking forward to this summer's trip with all of you!

Comments

[alt_ron]

I can't wait!

I hope there's a lot of flying and not too much lecturing, though.

[alt_sinistra]

Don't worry - there'll be plenty of opportunities for flying (and other activity like hikes and other things.)

This isn't school term time, so we're doing our best to avoid lectures, and spend more time trying things out, and learning some practical charms and techniques we don't get have much time for during the year.

[alt_ernie]

Thanks professor, it sounds wizard!

[alt_ron]

It does, doesn't it?!

[alt_percy]

Thank you very much for all the planning and preparation you have put into this venture, Professor. It sounds as though it will be a splendid experience.

I do have one question: you noted that the Prefects will be authorised to use Crucio. I must admit that am surprised to hear this. I thought that using Crucio was only the prerogative of the Head Boy and Head Girl. Has the school's policy been changed?

Order Only

[alt_molly]

Oh, Merlin, no. They can't. They can't let them do that.

Not Percy.

[alt_sinistra]

The school policy has not been changed. However, while this is a trip with Hogwarts students, one faculty member (myself) and several prefects, we wish to be clear that this is not a Hogwarts trip, per se, and has some different expectations, rules - and yes, potential risks, as we will be outside of the Hogwarts protections.

Events of the last week should indicate that there are times when the Cruciatus (or some other possibilities) may be an important tool in preserving the well-being of students on the trip, and we wished to prepare for that eventuality.

[alt_padma]

Professor, Parvati and Lavender and Morag and Belinda and I would like to be together in a tent, please.

And I'd like to ride one of the carpets if I'm not too late!

Thank you!

[alt_lucius]

I must say, I rather agree with young Mr Weasley, though not for the same reasons, on the matter of using the Cruciatus in time of extreme danger.

It would seem to me that the Imperius is a much more effective and reliable measure if the child is in need of immediate rescue.

The Cruciatus bears with it consequences that may actually increase the risk to the subject.

Order Only

[alt_molly]

Effective, yes.

And still UNFORGIVEABLE!

[alt_sinistra]

I do understand the concerns regarding Cruciatus - I had already attached a copy of the reasoning (and the specific details not included in this posting) in my Owl to Mrs Malfoy that went out today. Needless to say, the reason for permission goes beyond students getting themselves into trouble, and has some other applications (as I mentioned to Mr Weasley above.)

As mentioned there, the events of last weekend do make it clear that there are some possible risks even within Hogwarts' protections. Advice from several Aurors I consulted suggested that certain precautions (clearly stated in public) might be useful in deterring further problems, especially as we will be outside of the many protections of Hogwarts.

(Needless to say, this is only one part of our consideration on this matter: the further details, some of which will be more effective if they are not public, are included in my recent Owl.)

If you have further questions once you've read the material, please do contact me, but I believe the explanation will relieve your concerns.

[alt_lucius]

Ah. That kind of harm.

Yes, as a preventive or disciplinary measure, certainly. Your note to Mrs Malfoy makes the intent of the rule quite plain.

Your earlier statement about the activities and ... adventures the children are like to have suggested your junior counselors might be required to cast the spell upon the student in order to save him in impending peril. You can imagine my confusion, particularly as we are in the throes of preparation for our journey.

[alt_penelope]

Professor, are we allowed to pick the student groups we're responsible for? I'd rather not get saddled with anyone extra-frivolous while camping.

[alt_sinistra]

Miss Clearwater - do stop by my rooms tomorrow afternoon if you're available.

Each older student will spend time with a range of different groups, but I'm certainly willing to discuss your preference for the tent you'll be staying in, and for other knowledge you have (of students in your house, in particular.)

[alt_padma]

Oh, please no, Professor, don't put Clearwater in with us. If that's what your thinking, I mean.

[alt_penelope]

Why, and make me miss the chance to curse you when you wander off to dance with the imps in the woods? Merlin forbid!

[alt_padma]

Dance with imps?

Please. Shows what you know.

[alt_padma]

That's alright, we'd just as soon not have anyone as dull as you hanging about, anyway.

[alt_penelope]

No worries from me,I'd just as soon leave my earplugs at home. One usually heads to the countryside to enjoy some peace and quiet, not to listen to the wildlife screeching.

[alt_padma]

Best stay home then, if you don't want to hear all the knarls in Cornwall crying out for horror at your face.

Or better yet, we could make you go first to scare off all the creatures Professor Sinistra says are waiting to get us.

[alt_penelope]

Maybe if you offer it some of your pudding, you'll be able to sooth it. They just love pudding.

[alt_padma]

So do you, apparently. Better lay off a bit, Clearwater, or your broom might not be able to carry you.

[alt_penelope]

Ah, always the quick wit. Don't worry little girl, someday you won't need a pair of socks to fill that jumper of yours.

[alt_draco]

Just look at you go. One would think you'd have better things to do than to pick a row with a rising second year, but I guess you don't. How tragic for you.

[alt_penelope]

Well, I imagine that you haven't noticed her jumper either, otherwise you wouldn't be wasting your time standing up for her. I think Little Miss Patil can take care of herself just fine.

[alt_draco]

I'd like to be in a tent with Harry, of course, and Blaise and Teddy, too. And I guess Vince and Greg if they can be squeezed in, too.

[alt_sally_anne]

Alright, Pansy and I talked to the others and we'd like to share a tent with Daphne, Katrina Bundy from Gryffindor, and Su Li and Sarah Fawcett from Ravenclaw. That's assuming there's a tent with space for all of us, if there isn't Katrina says she doesn't mind sharing with someone else so that Su Li and Sarah Fawcett can stay together.